All 4 Jake: January 2011

Jake's story

July 21st was a normal day, as were the days of summer before. Everything was in it's place. School days were approaching and the family was enjoying the last days by the pool, ignored bedtimes and high popsicle counts.

Then July 22, 2008 came....

Jake had his first seizure. I did not recognize it as such. It was not until he had several more of these "little jerks" and bloody noses that I thought this could be seizure activity. We were scheduled to see a neurologist on August 4th, after going through our pediatrician, however we didn't make it that far. I was awakened August 1st, by Jake in a full seizure (6 minutes long)...he started to turn blue so I called 911....

Here begins our journey......

...we were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Checked in. Released. 3 more grand mal seizures after being released. Checked back in. Sent home 3 days later. Another grand mal, this one lasting a whopping 11 minutes and taken by ambulance again. Stayed at Childrens Dallas for a week. Upping meds, changing meds and mixing meds.
Diagnosis: Epilepsy
Cause: Unknown
We have now found, through some absolutely amazing family and extended family, whom I will NEVER be able to thank enough, the wonderful doctors and nurses at Cook Childrens Hospital in Fort Worth, who are continuing to help us through this. We have had another grand last thursday, and are averaging anywhere from 5-30 seizures (jerks, drops, stares) a day. I was to begin back teaching at Apollo, but am having to put that on hold until the seizures are controlled. Jake is not able to go back to school until he is 30 days seizure free. We are still waiting for that ONE day. Please pray for our family and for little Jake. Although this is not the end of the world, it is a huge hurdle we WILL overcome. Pray for courage for Jake, understanding as parents, good doctors and for the right medicines.

Jake's mom, Christine

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Christmas come and gone...

So another Christmas is in the books. It's very cliche I know, but time is sure flying by. I am trying to suck up every possible moment with these kids, as I feel like we have lost almost 2 years of our life to the damn beast. Time spent worrying about damage from seizures, waiting for the next seizure, and wasted in ers, clinics, doctor's offices and ambulances. Time I would have much rather spent cuddling, playing, swimming, reading, and just watching them. Honestly, even if if was time spent being annoyed, irritated, and overwhelmed, I would have taken it, if not caused by this monster, we call Doose

I had planned to really get caught up on blogging, as I have had two full weeks off from work. I envisioned waking up, watching cartoons with the twerps, while sipping coffee in my pj's. However, none of this happened, including the obvious...no blogging.

luckily...I have NOTHING exciting to report...not ANYTHING at all, if you catch my drift. If you have read previous blogs you likely know what I am saying here, without saying it!:-)

Since I don't have many words, except reflections of Christmas' past (2009), (2008), I simply added some pictures that tell our bits and pieces of our break to you.

On our way to church

the twerps

the twerps AFTER screaming SANTA at the top of their lungs

brothers enjoying Santa's loot

Santa dropped a puppy down the chimney for Addison- "Mia" Hamm

GUNS!! one of his all time favorites gifts

tools! another hit!

I am so happy to report a very uneventful Christmas this year. Three kids, two dogs and a house full of family and friends is soooo uberly uneventful compared to helmets, seizures, diastat, bumps, bruises and blood. For this we are thankful! Praying for many more uneventful days.

Christmas is glorious enough, but made even more so as we remember and reflect on Christmas' past.

We are blessed!

Happy new year to you and yours!

“I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.”